A 46-year-old man accused of being the Cato Manor serial rapist has abandoned his bail application. The man, whose identity is not publicly disclosed, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday. His lawyer informed the court of his decision to abandon the bail application. The man was remanded in custody until October 28.
The accused faces 27 charges, including kidnapping, rape, housebreaking, and attempted murder. According to Sphelele Ndlela, representing the state, the charges are linked to multiple incidents in Cato Manor and the Pietermaritzburg area. The man is alleged to have followed women home from taverns and raped them with pantyhose pulled over his face. This prevented the victims from seeing his face and identifying him.
The KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, previously stated that the man operated mostly at night. He targeted women of different ages, following them from taverns to their homes. Police investigations revealed that DNA evidence linked the man to 14 rapes in Cato Manor between 2014 and 2025. Additional links were found to rapes in the Pietermaritzburg area.
The arrest was made by detectives from the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit. Both units fall under the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit. The arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of professional, intelligence-led, and evidence-based policing.
KZN premier Thamsanqa Ntuli attended the man’s first court appearance last week. Ntuli emphasized that the arrest shows police can catch rapists even when the crime is not witnessed. The premier highlighted the importance of communicating a strong message to perpetrators that they can be caught through thorough investigations.
The court has ordered that the man’s identity and images not be published. The state intends to refer the case to the director of public prosecutions, who will decide on the matter by October 28. The accused was seen in court with his arms folded, dressed in a blue jacket and a yellow shirt, following proceedings through an interpreter.
The case has garnered significant attention due to its severity and the number of charges. The accused’s decision to abandon his bail application will likely keep him in custody as the case progresses. The investigation and potential referral to the director of public prosecutions indicate a thorough approach to addressing the crimes.
Key points
- The accused faces 27 charges, including kidnapping, rape, housebreaking, and attempted murder.
- DNA evidence linked the man to 14 rapes in Cato Manor between 2014 and 2025.
- The arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of professional, intelligence-led, and evidence-based policing.
